Supporting Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Donors Charities.

Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Bone marrow (Stem Cell) donation....the facts

This is an entry that I found on Adrian Sudburys blog page "Baldy's Blog". I took the liberty of "pinching it" for this blog as it may help to dispel some of the myths and worries that surround the process of giving bone marrow, and hopefully will keep the momentum going for the vision that Adrian had of recruiting more people to become donors.

"This is a video showing how around 75% of all bone marrow donation is carried out these days.If you want to get on one of the donor registers all you have to do is ask about it next time you give blood.The National Blood Service provides a bone marrow register.Alternatively, you could get in touch with the Anthony Nolan Trust.They can send out a special blood testing kit which you can take with you to your GP.You then post your sample back to the trust.Specialists can tell from your blood whether you are a potential tissue match for someone or not. Your details are then entered onto one of the databases.The two organisations work together so you only need to be on one.If you were a match for someone who needed a transplant, and you still wanted to help, you would be given a number of injections of a naturally occurring hormone called Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF), four days prior to the donation.This stimulates your bone marrow to increase blood cell production. For example, when you are ill, GCSF stimulates the marrow to make more white blood cells to fight off infection.The injections are safe and the only side effect I experienced when I was given some on the ward was a slight ache in my bones.A donor is then brought into hospital and hooked up to a machine called a cell separator.As you can see from the above video a needle is put in one arm and the blood goes into the machine. The stem cells are separated by centrifugation and flow into a bag. The other parts of the blood are then returned back to the donor through a different needle.The whole process takes around four hours.Current research shows that these types of stem cells are the best for curing leukaemia.However, for some conditions such as aplastic anaemia, stem cells direct from the bone marrow are more desirable.To get these cells a bone marrow harvest is performed. This can require a two-night stay in hospital.When I have a bone marrow sample I have to lie on my side in the foetal position. I am given a local anaesthetic and a needle is inserted into the bony bits at the back of my pelvis.This video is not the same as a harvest but it gives you the gist.

A donor is given a general anaesthetic and the same procedure is carried out but at multiple sites. There is no bone-breaking or spine jeopardising - that is not to say it wouldn't be a bit sore in the morning!None of these procedures are anything to be taken lightly and do represent a big commitment.The databases are expensive to maintain so they only want people on there who are determined to help.Donors have the final say about which method they prefer.Ideally, it is best to be OK with both. That way if someone is unable to extract enough bone marrow cells, another option for the recipient is possible.On a personal note I used to give blood but I never joined a bone marrow register because I thought the procedure could leave you paralysed.That, as I hope you can see, could not be further from the truth.I'd just like to add that we live in a world that for all its good is riddled with problems and selfishness.Joining a register is one of the true acts of altruism and human kindness.Who knows, you may end up saving someone else on the other side of the planet."

(Adrian Sudbury May 15th,2008)

The video in the left hand column is pretty short and sweet, but it explains the process that is, as Adrian pointed out, used now days in 75% of cases to harvest bone marrow for donation to Leukaemia patients.Go on, do something amazing and give the gift of life :-)

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Scirocco 2 Morocco 2008.An overview of the challenge.

Hi there, my names Andy Ward,I am a Life Support Systems Medical Engineer at an NHS Hospital.....and I just happen to have Chronic Leukaemia!.

Welcome to my Blog Page which was produced to publicise a trip from the UK to North Africa that my good friend (and fellow NHS collegue) Glen and I undertook in September 2008 driving my trusty 21 year old VW Scirocco named "Scarlett" :-)

*Car and Trailer Information

1987 Scirocco Scala 1.8 Ltr Carburettor donated to me by a chap named Steve from Leicester in June 2007.

The Trailer is made from the rear end of a 1989 Scirocco GT2 which was donated by a guy from Derby in 2008.The conversion work was done by ASMech Engineering in Mansfield.

The car and Trailer were resprayed (free of charge) by AW Accident Repair Centre in Sleaford.AW also repaired the car in April-June 2008 after it received frontal damage in an accident.

The graphics for the cars first 2 missions (Roc Around the Clock in 2007 and in 2008 Scirocco 2 Morocco) were done by Lee of Custom Vinyl Graphics in Anwick. The most recent set of vinyl's have been fitted by "Biff" of PawPrint Graphics in Newark.

Wheels for the Scirocco 50LLR Project have been sorted by John Leeson of WheelCraft in Heckington with some support from Kumho Tyres and Team Dynamics Alloys.

The donation of a set of 4 new tyres plus invaluable assistance keeping the Scirocco on the road for the last 3 years has been down to the amazing support of PITSTOP GARAGE in Sleaford.Thanks to all of you :-)

The Design for the Scirocco 50 LLR Project was devised by Benn Perry of West Nottinghamshire College.

Since our return from the trip, during which we managed to almost get to Morocco (Ended up finishing in Gibraltar due to ferry costs!), I am now using this blog to promote the task of recruiting people to the bone marrow and cord blood registers and also to report news about Leukaemia and Lymphoma issue's, with the occasional "off topic" section just to keep you interested!.It's great to be able to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Anthony Nolan Trust, but at the end of the day money is not enough.We need to dispel the myths and misconceptions about donating bone marrow and cord blood so that more people will sign up to give "The gift of life".

Thanks.Andy :-)

(NB.The views held within this blog are my own, and do not in any way reflect the opinions or legislation of my employers or other agencies mentioned within it's text)

If you feel that you can offer help,support or sponsorship to our cause,then please feel free to contact me at this email address: